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Catelyn was enjoying a private dinner together with Ned in his solar, celebrating their twelfth wedding anniversary. She by far preferred it to any big celebration. It had somewhat become a tradition – the past five years, they had first celebrated their anniversary with a feast in the main hall before they would spend the following evening on their own, sharing a private dinner together. And Catelyn loved it. Their days were often busy and Ned’s expressions could be quite reserved in public. She always longed to have him just to herself. In truth, she wished they could spend every dinner on their own – but in the end, it was the exception that made this evening special.
And tonight would be even more special, as Catelyn had something important to share with him. Although, she wanted to wait for the right moment.
Ned was sharing anecdotes from the hunt earlier today – smiling and laughing, and Catelyn could not help but smile as well. In the beginning of their marriage, their time together had been rather quiet and formal. She had always wished for Ned to open up more, sharing his feelings and thoughts; showing her his kindness and affection. Now, she could see the love and tenderness and excitement clear on his face.
“Remember when we did this the first time?” Catelyn asked then, a small smile on her face.
“I do,” Ned replied. “It was a disaster.”
Catelyn chuckled. He was not mistaken and she still remembered it quite well. Ten years ago, they had celebrated their anniversary for the first time. As an attempt to make it more intimate, Ned had asked Catelyn to a private dinner. Catelyn had loved the idea, but sadly, they had still been rather careful around one another back then. At one point, the wrong word had been spoken. First, Brandon’s ghost had haunted their conversation, and then, they had somehow ended up arguing about Jon Snow. In the end, Catelyn had returned to her chambers on her own, upset and lonely. It was not necessarily her fondest memory with him.
“I still appreciated the idea,” Catelyn then told him with a smile. “And I am glad that we decided to try another time.”
“Me too,” said Ned, giving her a smile. “Though it did take us long enough.”
That was true. They had not dared to share another anniversary dinner until years later…
*
Five Years Ago
Catelyn was enjoying a dinner with Ned in his solar, to celebrate their seventh wedding anniversary. They had finished their meals, now sharing a bottle of wine as they were talking about the events of the past week. Catelyn was glad that they had decided to do this. She had felt rather hesitant when Ned had brought up the idea, as the last time they had done this had ended pretty badly. It had been years since then, however, and they had barely known one another back then, struggling to carry a decent conversation. Things were different now.
“It’s been years since we’ve last done this,” Ned said then, apparently thinking the same.
Catelyn gave him a smile. “Don’t worry, my love. I’m not planning to start an argument tonight.”
He laughed. “I don’t mind arguing with you, Cat. The Gods know that I’m doomed to lose either way. But I would prefer a quiet evening.”
She smirked at that. “Hopefully not too quiet.”
He stared at her almost mischievously and Catelyn bit her lip as she recognised the desire in his eyes. She would not mind to simply put the glass of wine aside and guide him to the sofa. But she wanted to be patient – wanted to enjoy this peaceful evening with him before they would find their way to her bedchambers eventually.
“Well, with you, I’m certain it will never be too quiet,” Ned replied then, taking a sip from his wine.
Catelyn raised her brows. “I could say the same. I’m quite certain that the entirety of Winterfell was able to hear you last night, my lord.”
Ned chuckled at that. “I am not ashamed for people to know how determined we are in our duty.”
“Of course … duty is the sole reason,” Catelyn replied with a smirk.
He smiled at her, looking at her for a moment in silence. “I do believe that duty did play an important role,” he said then. “Perhaps, the only reason this turned into more that merely a dutiful marriage was because we were so determined in fulfilling our duty.”
“Maybe,” Catelyn replied, smiling. “I did believe you to be quite cold and sombre when we first met.”
“Probably wishing for Brandon instead.”
At that, Catelyn’s smile vanished. The last time they had shared a dinner like that, the mention of Brandon’s name had ended in an argument. Then, however, a smile reappeared in her face as she said, “We both were mourning. And we were strangers. There was nothing besides duty for us.”
“Well, I did consider you beautiful and smart and sweet,” Ned told her and Catelyn laughed quietly. “But also rather … prideful, perhaps.”
Catelyn raised her brows. “Really?” Then, a smirk appeared on her lips. “Where you intimidated by me, my lord?”
He chuckled. “A bit, I believe.”
“Well, I was quite intimidated by you as well.”
He gave her a smile. “I do believe that it is fairly impressive that you have been able to grow fond of me in any way. Truthfully, I am still surprised sometimes. I know I have hardly made it easy for you.”
Catelyn looked at him, silent for a moment. He was not wrong. Their marriage had been the result of a war. It had been built on grief and fear. They had been strangers when they had married. Catelyn’s heart had belonged to his brother, and Ned’s heart had probably belonged to another woman as well. And when she had arrived at this foreign, cold place, she had been greeted with the presence of his bastard son. No one would have been foolish enough to bet on this marriage to ever be more that just mere duty.
A smile reappeared on Catelyn’s face as she said, “Perhaps it appears as impressive to an outsider. But not to me.” She emptied her glass then before she stood up and walked around to table. Slowly, she sat down on Ned’s lap, gently brushing through his hair. “I would have never wished to fall in love with anyone else.” His eyes were shining at her with affection and tenderness. “And I am eternally grateful that you are my husband, Ned.”
She bent down then, kissing him softly as Ned wrapped his arms around her, pulling her closer.
*
Catelyn remembered that dinner like it had been yesterday. Shortly after that, they had found their way to the sofa, no interest in patience anymore. She smiled, thinking back to that evening. Apparently, Ned’s thoughts had wandered into a similar direction, as he then said fondly, “We made Bran that night.”
“That night … or the many nights before or after that,” Catelyn corrected him with a smile.
“I like to believe it has been that night.” Catelyn chuckled quietly and Ned looked at her for a moment before he added, “You know, it has been years since Bran…”
Catelyn gave him a smile. “That sounds like you wish to have another child with me.”
“If the Gods allowed it, I would wish for a dozen more children with you.”
Catelyn laughed quietly, biting her lip. Now was probably the best time to share her news with him. “There is something I wanted to tell you tonight,” she said then, giving him a soft smile. “I believe that your wishes have already been fulfilled, my love.”
He stared at her, confused for a moment. But then, she could tell that he realised what she meant with her words as his face lightened up, a wide smile appearing on it.
“You are with child?” he asked, delight and surprise on his face.
“I am,” she told him as she bit her lip to prevent herself from laughing at his almost baffled expression.
“How long have you known?” he asked.
“About a week,” she told him. “But I wanted to surprise you tonight.”
He continued staring at her for a moment. Then, he stood up, walking around the table. He knelt down in front of her, gently taking her hands into his before he planted a soft kiss on her stomach. Catelyn laughed and he looked up at her, beaming. “I love you, Catelyn.”
She raised her hand then, brushing her fingers across his cheek. “And I love you, Eddard Stark – more than I will ever be able to put into words.”
He pushed himself up then as his hand wandered into her hair and he pulled her close for a tender kiss. Catelyn closed her eyes as she wrapped her arms around his shoulders.
The past twelve years had been filled with love and fear and desire and pain – and Catelyn did not wish to change a single moment of it. She cherished all the memories she had made with him. She pulled him closer then, smiling against his lips, as she silently prayed for the future to grant them many more beautiful memories together.